thinking ahead...

[Mrs Ava]

This thread got me a-thinking as to what I can still go and pick from my plot.

Leeks, spring onions, celeriac, parsnips, carrots (under fleece), italian salad leaves (under fleece), celery (altho I fear this cold snap will have finished them), kohl rabi, savoy cabbage, brussel sprouts, cavalo nero kale, red kale, spinach, swiss chard, swedes (altho they are only small as they struggled), chinese mustard, salsify and beetroot.

In store I have spuds - still 2 good sized sacks, altho they are all the small ones now, garlics, chillis and lots and lots of squashes!

I try to plan to be able to be practically self sufficient year round on veggies from the plot and to be able to go up there and pick something fresh on a weekly basis.  The freezer is packed, and I have alsorts of preserves looking sexy.  The only thing I have to buy from the greengrocer is...............um........................errr..............ooo, oranges and lemons for my G&T's!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Mrs Ava]

[daveandtara]

EJ,
you're still getting kohl rabis? :o
we love those so can you tell us how late you can plant/harvest them?
D&T

[Derekthefox]

That was my question too Tara !!!

[Mrs Ava]

I'm afraid I am an allotment rebel.  Rotation is vague.....I remember where I planted onions spuds and cabbages and try to move them every year, but other than that, I sow and gap fill as I go...so....as I harvest, I always have either seeds or seedlings ready to plant.  My last lot of kohl rabis were sown late summer - I had a late summer flush, that is why I was picking runners in October!  The rabis will never make huge specimens, but big enough for us, um, say a tennis ball and a bit kinda size. 

With my veggies, I start growing and sowing in March, and just keep on going until I run out of seeds, or October comes along.  I figure by October there isn't really enough warmth or daylight to give things a good start.  I have tried winter sowings of peas, carrots and broadbeans, but they have never come to much, so now prefer to wait until the spring.  Fleece is a godsend.  I have lots and drape it over things I want to keep - so salads and carrots are just fine. ;D